BMW M4 CS is 32kg down, 49 horses up and sits between the M4 and GTS

The BMW M4 CS (pictured) bridges the gap between the M4 and M4 GTS

The BMW M4 CS has been revealed at the Shanghai Motor SHow, a lighter, more powerful, motorsport inspired M4 sitting below the M4 GTS.

If you’d ever thought about it, it could be argued that BMW is missing a trick by not having a motorsport-inspired performance model sitting between the regular M4 and the M4 GTS. 

Clearly, BMW feel the same, so they’ve launched the M4 CS at the Shanghai Motor Show, bridging the gap – in price and performance – between the M4 and the GTS. Just as BMW Spain did last year with their M4 CS.

The M4 CS gets the same 3.0 litre twin-turbo straight-six engine as the M4, but BMW has coaxed extra horses to deliver 454bhp – an extra 29bhp – which is enough to get to 62mph in 3.9 seconds and on to 174mph, with the power sent to the back wheels through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.

But the M4 CS doesn’t just get extra power, it also gets its suspension tweaked for moer dynamic responses which, combined with the extra power, allows it to blat round the Nurburgring 22 seconds quicker than the regular M4.

BMW has also saved a bit more than a sack of spuds in weight by using CFRP for the bonnet, roof and even the drive shaft, and there’s a bigger front splitter, new rear spoiler and a new set of ten-spoke alloys.

Inside is the de rigueur sporty Alcantara and leather trim, new sports seats and some CS badging. You can also make your CS stand out by picking one of two new colours – San Marino Blue and Lime Rock Grey.

BMW say they will only be selling the M4 CS for two years, and prices start at £89k – that’s £20k or so more than the regular M4, but £30k or so less than the GTS.